Thursday, January 16, 2014

Commemorated on January 16
Saint Honoratus was born in Gaul (modern France) about 350,
and came from a distinguished Roman family. After a pilgrimage to Greece
and Rome, he became a hermit on the isle of Lerins, where he was joined
by Sts Lupus of Troyes (July 29), Eucherius of Lyons (November 16), and
Hilary of Arles (May 5), among others.

The saint depleted his
youthful vigor through fasting and asceticism, and so “the powers of the
body made way for the power of the spirit.” Though in poor health, he
managed to follow the same rule of fasting and keeping vigil as those
who were younger and stronger than he. He would visit the sick when he
was even sicker than they were, offering consolation for body and
soul.Then, fearing he had not done enough for them, he would review each
case in his mind to determine how he could ease their suffering.

Adorned
with virtues, St Honoratus treated a variety of spiritual diseases,
freeing many from their enslavement to vice. His insight into each
person’s character enabled him to apply the appropriate remedies for
restoring souls to spiritual health.

St Honoratus died in 429
shortly after being consecrated as Bishop of Arles.St Hilary, his
relative and successor, delivered a eulogy which still survives.